"COMMON sense has prevailed" when it comes to the final boundary shake-up proposals, an MP has said.

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris has welcomed the plans submitted to the Government by The Boundary Commission, which will see the number of constituencies cut from 650 to 600 in a bid to ensure the number of electors in each constituency is equal.

Under the plans, the four existing constituencies within Dudley borough will become three – Stourbridge, Dudley and Halesowen and Rowley Regis.

The latter is relatively unchanged but has been extended to include Netherton and Woodside, which currently lie within the Dudley South constituency.

Mr Morris said: "It’s good news that The Boundary Commission have recognised the importance of keeping Halesowen and Rowley Regis together in one constituency.

"Following the first stage of proposals, along with local residents, I made representations to the commission to keep Halesowen together, and against the inclusion of Selly Oak."

The Tory MP added: "I am glad they have listened and that common sense has prevailed."

Sam Hartley, secretary to The Boundary Commission, said: "The recommendations mark the end of a thorough and consultative process to build the new map of constituencies.

"We’ve travelled the country, taken account of over 35,000 public comments and heard many impassioned views about how best to reflect local communities in our recommendations, while ensuring that constituencies are all much more equally represented.

"We’re confident that the map we propose is the best match of the legal rules Parliament have set us.

"It’s now up to Parliament to decide whether these boundaries will be used at the next general election."

MPs will vote on the changes later this year.